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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

866 questions in 43 reviews · Oral and maxillofacial surgery

current versions
No studies 188 · 21.7%Ungraded 548 · 63.3%Very low 81 · 9.4%Low 37 · 4.3%Moderate 8 · 0.9%High 4 · 0.5%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Acellular dermal matrix vs Control
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.15 [0.04, 0.67]1 study · 300 participantsUngraded
Platelet rich plasma vs Placebo or no treatment
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.51 [0.19, 1.33]2 studies · 127 participantsVery low
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Psychological distress at follow-up · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Follow-up
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
MD -1.02 [-4.02, 1.98]1 study · 101 participantsLow
Artemisia desertorum spreng (Yunnan) vs Placebo
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.28 [0.06, 1.28]1 study · 182 participantsUngraded
Acellular dermal matrix patch vs No treatment
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.07 [0.01, 0.50]1 study · 400 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine 0.2% socket irrigation (monoject syringe) vs Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthrinse
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.26 [0.09, 0.71]1 study · 95 participantsUngraded
Autofluorescence-guided bone surgery vs Tetracycline fluorescence-guided bone surgery
Healing of MRONJ (mucosal integrity) · People with MRONJ referred for surgical treatment · 1 year
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.05 [0.86, 1.30]1 study · 34 participantsVery low
Primary closure of the extraction socket with a mucoperiosteal flap vs Application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) without primary closure
Rate of complications and side effects of the intervention · People on antiresorptive treatment undergoing tooth extraction (at risk of MRONJ) · 90 days
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
No intraoperative complications occurred in either group. Postoperative complications: 6 participants (15.4%) in the mucoperiosteal flap group and 1 participant (2.6%) in the PRF group.1 study · 77 participantsUngraded
Topical anaesthetic gel (prilocaine-lidocaine) vs Eugenol
Pain at 48 hours (VAS 0-10) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · 48 hours
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
MD -0.20 [-1.87, 1.47]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Caries experience - mean dmfs (descriptive), primary dentition · CL/P vs no CL/P; Table 4 (6 groups/4 studies)
Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022)
Mean dmfs (SD) CL/P 4.1 (SD 3.52) vs no CL/P 3.2 (SD 2.75)4 studiesUngraded
Chlorhexidine gel (0.2%, intrasocket) vs Chlorhexidine rinse (0.12%)
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.74 [0.46, 1.20]2 studies · 383 participantsLow
Teriparatide 56.5 microg weekly in addition to standard care vs Teriparatide 20 microg daily in addition to standard care
Healing of MRONJ (remission) · People with established (manifest) MRONJ · 6 months
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.60 [0.25, 1.44]1 study · 12 participantsVery low
Tap water irrigation (monoject syringe) vs No rinsing
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.18, 0.74]1 study · 336 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine gel 1% vs Chlorhexidine gel 0.2%
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.15, 2.05]1 study · 88 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Caries experience - mean dmft (descriptive), primary dentition · CL/P vs no CL/P; Table 4 (15 groups/13 studies)
Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022)
Mean dmft (SD) CL/P 3.2 (SD 2.22) vs no CL/P 2.5 (SD 1.53)13 studiesUngraded
Subperiosteal prepared (SPP) wound closure after tooth extraction vs Epiperiosteal prepared (EPP) wound closure after tooth extraction
MRONJ after tooth extraction (incidence proportion) · People on antiresorptive therapy for cancer or osteoporosis undergoing dental extractions (at risk of MRONJ) · 6 months
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.09 [0.00, 1.56]1 study · 132 participantsLow
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management)
Pain intensity at follow-up (6-12 months) · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Follow-up (6-12 months)
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
SMD -0.29 [-0.50, -0.08]5 studies · 475 participantsLow
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Psychological distress at treatment completion · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
MD 2.36 [-1.17, 5.89]1 study · 101 participantsLow
Honey (Manuka, topical) vs Chlorhexidine rinse (0.2%)
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.32 [0.41, 4.22]1 study · 100 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine gel (0.2%, intrasocket) vs Placebo or no treatment
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.44 [0.27, 0.71]7 studies · 753 participantsModerate
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) as an adjunct to conventional therapy vs Conventional therapy
Quality of life · People with established (manifest) MRONJ · 6 months
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
QoL measured with the Duke Health Profile; only within-group comparisons were provided; no score values, so a between-group analysis was not possible.1 studyUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management)
Adverse events · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
SoF: 3 studies reported minor adverse events in the control group; 1 study reported minor adverse events in psychological therapy group; 1 study reported that there were no adverse events. Results: NCT00066937 minor…5 studiesVery low
Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) vs No cleft lip and/or palate (non-CL/P)
Caries experience in the primary dentition (dmft/dmfs/dfs/deft/ds; pooled as standardized mean difference) · Children in the primary dentition with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and comparable children without CL/P · Overall (all dentition groups)
Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022)
SMD 0.46 [0.15, 0.77]16 studies · 3863 participantsUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Pain intensity at treatment completion · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
SMD -0.09 [-0.30, 0.12]6 studies · 577 participantsLow
Artemisia desertorum spreng (Shahaosan) vs Artemisia desertorum spreng (Yunnan)
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.04, 5.06]1 study · 178 participantsUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Pain disability at follow-up · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Follow-up
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
SMD 0.01 [-0.61, 0.64]2 studies · 240 participantsLow
Dental extraction protocol with plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) inserted into the postextraction alveolus vs Standard dental extraction protocol without PRGF
MRONJ (incidence proportion) · People with cancer treated with intravenous bisphosphonates undergoing dental extractions (at risk of MRONJ) · 24 to 60 months
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.08 [0.00, 1.51]1 study · 176 participantsVery low
Oral tissue patch vs Placebo or control
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.13 [0.02, 0.98]1 study · 200 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Caries experience - % dft (descriptive), primary dentition · CL/P vs no CL/P; Table 4 (1 group/1 study)
Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022)
% dft CL/P 7.4 vs no CL/P 8.11 studyUngraded
Alvogyl vs Zinc oxide eugenol
Time to initial pain relief (minutes) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Initial pain relief
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
MD -17.64 [-18.76, -16.52]1 study · 78 participantsUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Additional physical symptoms · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
This outcome was not measured for this comparison.NRNo studies
Dental examinations at three-month intervals and preventive treatments vs Standard care
MRONJ (incidence rate: cases per patient-year) · Men with metastatic prostate cancer receiving intravenous zoledronic acid (at risk of MRONJ) · mean 28.8 months
Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane
rate ratio 0.18 [0.04, 0.74]1 study · 253 participantsVery low
Platelet rich plasma vs Placebo or no treatment
Adverse events · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
No adverse events were reported in these two trials.2 studiesUngraded
Glucocorticosteroid antibiotic agent (intrasocket) vs Normal saline
Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
OR (exact) 0 [0, 2.42]1 study · 19 participantsUngraded
Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) vs No cleft lip and/or palate (non-CL/P)
Restorative index (RI = f/[d+f]) in the primary dentition · Children in the primary dentition with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and comparable children without CL/P
Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022)
Of the five studies for which the RI could be calculated, three of them (Dahllof 1989; Nagappan 2019; Veiga 2016) showed a lower RI for children with CL/P compared to children with no CL/P demonstrating a lower…5 studiesUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management)
Psychological distress at treatment completion · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
SMD -0.32 [-0.50, -0.15]6 studies · 553 participantsLow
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Dry socket · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 1st to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.45, 0.97]13 studies · 1882 participantsLow
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Postsurgical infectious complications · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 1st to 14th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.34 [0.19, 0.64]12 studies · 1728 participantsLow
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Swelling (7th day) · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.80 [0.50, 1.27]4 studies · 452 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Pain (continuous, VAS 0-10 cm, 7th day) · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 6th to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
MD -0.26 [-0.59, 0.07]4 studies · 422 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Presence of pain (dichotomous, yes/no on 6th-7th day) · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 6th to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.59 [0.31, 1.12]3 studies · 675 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Adverse effects · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 1st to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.46 [0.81, 2.64]8 studies · 1277 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Trismus (dichotomous, 7th day) · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.77 [0.42, 1.41]3 studies · 199 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Outcome NR · Immunosuppressed / immunocompromised patients (e.g. HIV infection, AIDS, diabetes, transplants) undergoing tooth…
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
No studies: none of the 23 included trials evaluated tooth extraction in immunocompromised patients; subgroup analysis based on immune status was not possible as no such studies were identified.0 studiesNo studies
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Fever (6th-7th day) · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 6th to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.24, 1.79]4 studies · 475 participantsVery low
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Outcome NR · Patients undergoing tooth extraction for severe dental caries or periodontal disease in general dental practice…
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
No studies in general dental practice for removal of decayed teeth. PUB3 added one routine intra-alveolar extraction trial and one complex oral surgery trial (2 of 23 non-third-molar), but the single intra-alveolar…0 studiesNo studies
Fibrin sealant vs Conventional suturing
Trismus / maximum mouth opening (mean) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 7 days, fibrin sealant vs conventional
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
MD 3.50 [2.69, 4.31]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Triangular flap vs Envelope flap
Postoperative pain (mean) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 24 hours, short triangular vs envelope
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.84 [-1.65, -0.03]4 studies · 161 participantsUngraded
Lingual split with chisel vs Lingual split with bur
Temporary altered tongue sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · <1 month, chisel vs bur
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
OR 3.06 [0.27, 34.48]1 study · 52 participantsUngraded
Triangular flap vs Envelope flap
Adverse effects (wound dehiscence) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 39 participantsUngraded